You're a Grand Old Flag: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works

$75.00 USD

You're a Grand Old Flag: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works

Name: You're a Grand Old Flag: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A902490
Price: 75.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By George M. Cohan / arr. Steven Rosenhaus

Item: 36-A902490

$75.00

Shipped

One moment…

You're a Grand Old Flag was written by George Michael Cohen (1878-1942) in 1906 for his stage musical George Washington, Jr. First heard by audiences at the musical's premiere on February 6, 1906, this opening number was the first song from a musical to sell over a million copies of sheet music. The work is predominantly used now on Flag Day or other patriotic holidays in the United States. This arrangement for orchestra is my Steven Rosenhaus. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: [AAT Saxs (opt.)] 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).

You're a Grand Old Flag: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample pages found.

No sample audio found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Kalmus Symphonic Pops

Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.

UPC: 676737586133

SKU: 36-A902490

Instrumentation: Detailed Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: [AAT Saxs (opt.)] 4.3.3.1: Timp.Perc(3): Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: George M. Cohan

George M. Cohan (1878-1942) was an American composer, lyricist, playwright, actor, and producer who shaped the sound of early twentieth-century musical theater. Born into a vaudeville family, Cohan brought vernacular American speech and rhythms into his compositions, breaking from the operetta traditions that dominated Broadway before him. His songs were written to be sung and played everywhere, and their accessibility made them some of the most commercially successful pieces of his era.

Cohan's gift was for melody that felt instantly familiar and patriotic spirit that didn't require high artistry to feel genuine. Beyond "You're a Grand Old Flag," his catalog includes standards like "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "Over There," the latter of which became a rallying song during World War I. As both creator and performer, he embodied the American vernacular musical voice and remains a foundational figure in understanding how music functions in popular culture and patriotic ceremony.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Steven Rosenhaus's orchestration opens up this 1906 stage hit for modern concert use without stripping away its essential character. The optional saxophone parts give you flexibility for different ensemble sizes, and the full orchestral color creates the kind of approachable, feel-good programming moment that audiences actually remember. It's a piece that conducts itself and doesn't ask your orchestra to apologize for playing something tuneful.

What to expect

Bright, earnest, and unambiguously joyful. The melody sits comfortably in the American popular idiom, warm without sentimentality, and the orchestration gives it enough color to feel concert-worthy while maintaining the directness that made it sell a million copies in 1906. This is patriotism that doesn't need irony or apology.

Who it's for

Conductors programming concert pops, patriotic holidays, or community-centered events will find immediate use for this arrangement. Any full orchestra with the flexibility to use or omit saxophones can perform it effectively, making it accessible to high school through professional ensembles. It works equally well as a concert opener or closer.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melody generously in the first statement; this tune sells itself only if it can be heard clearly across the entire orchestra.
Keep the harmonic accompaniment crisp and light rather than heavy, which prevents the piece from feeling dated.
If using saxophones, let them blend into the woodwind color rather than doubling them obviously; they should enhance, not announce themselves.
Shape the phrases with gentle dynamic peaks rather than rigid uniformity; Cohan's melodies breathe naturally when you let them move forward.

How to use it

Open a July Fourth or Flag Day concert with this piece to establish an immediate emotional connection with your audience. It pairs well with other Americana or early twentieth-century popular music, or stands alone as a standalone crowd-pleaser between more substantial works. Consider it for any program where you want to remind people why they love orchestral music.